Baku: “Since the end of the Patriotic War in 2020, 437 Azerbaijani citizens have fallen victim to mine and explosive ordnance incidents, including civilians, servicemen, deminers, journalists and persons involved in reconstruction activities, resulting in 73 deaths and 364 severe injuries,” said President Ilham Aliyev in his address to the participants of the 4th International Mine Action Conference themed ‘Humanitarian Demining for Urban Recovery: Setting Standards of Excellence for Safe Settlements,’ APA reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev emphasized that more than 3,500 Azerbaijani citizens have suffered from mines since the beginning of Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan. Among the victims are children, women, and other civilians whose lives have been tragically affected by the hidden threat of mines.
The president pointed out that the challenge is further exacerbated by the inaccurate and incomplete minefield maps provided by Armenia. Mines have been discovered not only in former military positions but also along roads, near residential areas, in cemeteries, agricultural lands, forests, riverbanks, and other civilian locations. Despite these challenges, Azerbaijan is committed to ensuring the safe, dignified, and sustainable return of its citizens to their ancestral lands.